Turkey
Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In or Boneless)
Juicy air fryer turkey breast with crispy skin. Cook a 3–4 lb bone-in breast at 350°F for 50–65 minutes, or a boneless roast for 40–55 minutes.
Quick answer
Cook a 3–4 lb bone-in turkey breast in the air fryer at 350°F175°C for 50–65 minutes, about 15–18 minutes per pound. Start it skin-side down, flip halfway, and take it out when the thickest part reaches 165°F74°C. A 2–3 lb boneless turkey breast takes 40–55 minutes. Rest it for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Time
- 50–65 min (3–4 lb bone-in)
- Flip
- Yes, halfway
- Done when
- 165°F74°C in the thickest part
Turkey Breast air fryer times
| What you're cooking | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone-in turkey breast, 3 lb | 350°F175°C | 45–55 min | Skin-side down first, then flip |
| Bone-in turkey breast, 4 lb | 350°F175°C | 60–70 min | Needs a 6 qt or larger basket |
| Boneless turkey breast roast, 2 lb | 350°F175°C | 35–45 min | Flip halfway |
| Boneless turkey breast roast, 3 lb | 350°F175°C | 45–55 min | Tie with twine if it's loose |
| Turkey breast tenderloins, 1–1½ lb | 375°F190°C | 20–25 min | Flip halfway |
| Butterball-style boneless roast with gravy packet | 350°F175°C | 45–55 min (3 lb) | Remove netting and packet first |
Times are for a preheated 5–6 quart basket air fryer with food in a single layer. Oven-style and very large air fryers can run 1–3 minutes slower. Always check doneness with an instant-read thermometer.
An air fryer turkey breast is the easiest way to get Thanksgiving-worthy turkey without the all-day oven marathon. It cooks in about an hour, the skin comes out crackly and golden, and it frees up your oven for the sides.
Bone-in vs. boneless turkey breast
Bone-in, skin-on turkey breast gives you the juiciest meat and the best crispy skin. The bone insulates the meat so it cooks more evenly. A 3–4 lb bone-in breast fits most 6-quart air fryers.
Boneless turkey breast (often sold as a “turkey breast roast”) cooks faster and slices neatly. If it comes in netting, you can leave it on while cooking and remove it before slicing. Take out any gravy packet first.
Not sure how long your size needs? Our turkey cooking time calculator works it out by weight.
How to cook turkey breast in the air fryer
- Dry and season it. Pat the skin completely dry, which is the secret to crispy skin. Rub seasoning under and over the skin.
- Start skin-side down at 350°F175°C for 25 minutes.
- Flip skin-side up and cook until the thickest part hits 165°F74°C, usually another 25–40 minutes.
- Rest for 10 minutes before slicing so the juices stay in the meat.
Why 350°F175°C?
A turkey breast is thick, so it needs moderate heat to cook through before the outside burns. At 350°F175°C, the center reaches 165°F74°C just as the skin turns deep golden. Higher temperatures brown the skin too quickly, and lower temperatures leave the skin soft.
Seasoning ideas
- Classic herb butter: softened butter with garlic, thyme, rosemary and sage, rubbed under the skin.
- Cajun: paprika, garlic, onion powder, cayenne and oregano.
- Maple-mustard glaze: brush on 2 tablespoons maple syrup mixed with 1 tablespoon Dijon during the last 10 minutes.
- Lemon-pepper: lemon zest, black pepper and salt, with lemon slices under the skin.
Making gravy from the drippings
Pour the drippings from the air fryer drawer into a small saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour over medium heat for a minute, then slowly whisk in 1½ cups of turkey or chicken broth. Simmer until thickened and season to taste.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftover turkey within 2 hours for up to 3–4 days, or freeze it for 2–3 months. To reheat, place slices in the air fryer at 350°F175°C for 3–5 minutes, until hot (165°F74°C). A splash of broth in a small foil packet keeps them moist. More tips in our air fryer reheating guide.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 1 hr
- Total
- 1 hr 10 min
- Air fryer
- 350°F175°C
- Makes
- 6 servings
- Calories
- 250 per 5 oz serving with skin
Ingredients
- 1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (3–4 lb), thawed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Tap a step to check it off.
- Prep the turkey. Pat the turkey breast very dry with paper towels. Mix the salt, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary and pepper in a small bowl.
- Season. Loosen the skin with your fingers and rub about a third of the seasoning directly on the meat. Brush the outside with oil or butter and rub the rest of the seasoning all over.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F175°C for 3–5 minutes. Check that the breast fits with at least an inch of space above it and doesn't touch the heating element.
- Cook skin-side down. Place the turkey skin-side down in the basket and air fry for 25 minutes.
- Flip and finish. Carefully flip it skin-side up and cook another 25–40 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part (not touching bone) reads 165°F74°C. If the skin browns too fast, lay a piece of foil loosely over the top.
- Rest and slice. Move the turkey to a cutting board, tent it loosely with foil and rest for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain and serve.
Notes
- Boneless breast: cook at 350°F175°C for 40–55 minutes total, flipping halfway.
- Make sure the turkey is fully thawed. In the refrigerator, a 3–4 lb breast needs about 1–2 days.
- Save the drippings from the drawer for gravy.
Nutrition is an estimate calculated from typical ingredient values and will vary by brand and portion.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer?
A 3–4 lb bone-in turkey breast takes 50–65 minutes at 350°F175°C, roughly 15–18 minutes per pound. A 2–3 lb boneless turkey breast takes 40–55 minutes. Always confirm it has reached 165°F74°C in the thickest part.
How long do you cook a 3 lb turkey breast in the air fryer?
Plan on about 45–55 minutes at 350°F175°C for a 3 lb turkey breast, bone-in or boneless. Start checking the temperature at 40 minutes.
Should turkey breast be skin-side up or down in the air fryer?
Start skin-side down for the first half of cooking, then flip it skin-side up. This keeps the skin from over-browning before the meat is cooked, and the final stretch skin-side up makes it crisp.
Can you cook a frozen turkey breast in the air fryer?
It isn't recommended. The outside overcooks before the center thaws and reaches a safe temperature. Thaw it in the refrigerator first, which takes about 1–2 days for a 3–4 lb breast.
What temperature should turkey breast be when done?
The USDA safe minimum is 165°F74°C, measured in the thickest part of the breast without touching bone. Resting for 10 minutes keeps it juicy.
Will a turkey breast fit in my air fryer?
Most 5.8–6 qt and larger basket air fryers fit a 3–4 lb bone-in breast. Measure the height: you need about an inch of clearance between the top of the turkey and the heating element.
How do I keep air fryer turkey breast from drying out?
Don't overcook it. Pull it at exactly 165°F74°C, and rest it before slicing. Rubbing butter or oil under the skin and brining for a few hours beforehand also help.
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